Best SSDs for Xbox Series X|S 2025

Xbox Series X Storage Solutions: A Comprehensive Guide

Expanding your Xbox Series X storage is crucial for gamers with extensive libraries. The console's usable storage (around 800GB) fills up quickly. This guide explores the best SSD options, categorizing them by functionality.

TL;DR - Top Xbox Series X SSDs:

Our Top Pick: Seagate Storage Expansion Card for Xbox Series X|S (See it on Amazon!)

WD_Black 1TB C50: (See it on Amazon!)

Samsung T7 External SSD: (See it on Amazon!)

Crucial X8 External SSD: (See it on Amazon!)

WD_Black 2TB P40: (See it on Amazon!)

SSDs for Direct Game Play:

Only a limited number of SSDs allow direct game play from the drive, offering performance comparable to the internal drive and supporting features like Quick Resume.

1. Seagate Storage Expansion Card for Xbox Series X|S: This officially licensed SSD offers seamless plug-and-play installation, fast transfer speeds, and full compatibility with Xbox Series X|S features. While expensive, it's the gold standard for optimal performance. Available in 512GB, 1TB, and 2TB options. Pros: Easy installation, fast transfer speeds. Cons: Pricey.

2. WD_Black 1TB C50: Western Digital's official offering provides a more affordable alternative to the Seagate card, with slightly slower boot times but still excellent performance. Available in 512GB and 1TB. Pros: Cheaper than Seagate, durable, portable. Cons: Marginally slower boot times.

SSDs for Storage and Backwards Compatibility:

These drives offer greater storage capacity at lower prices but are not designed for playing current-gen Xbox Series X games directly. They are ideal for archiving games, storing older Xbox One and 360 titles, or storing games for later installation.

3. Samsung T7 External SSD: A versatile and portable option with fast read/write speeds and 256-bit AES encryption for secure file storage. Pros: Lightweight, portable, encryption. Cons: Cannot run Series X games directly.

4. Crucial X8 External SSD: A cost-effective choice offering excellent value for money. Available in 1TB, 2TB, and 4TB capacities. Pros: Compact, quick, good value, up to 4TB storage. Cons: No encryption.

5. WD_Black 2TB P40: A stylish external SSD with RGB lighting, fast transfer speeds, and robust design. Pros: Fast transfer speeds, stylish design. Cons: Relatively expensive for an external SSD.

Choosing the Right SSD:

For optimal performance and seamless integration, the Seagate Expansion Card or WD_Black C50 are recommended. If you primarily need additional storage and don't require direct game play from the external drive, the Samsung T7, Crucial X8, or WD_Black P40 offer excellent value and capacity options.

Xbox Series X SSD FAQ:

• Can any SSD work? Only licensed external SSDs (like the Seagate and WD_Black options mentioned above) allow direct Series X game play. External SSDs can store games for later installation.

• Xbox Series X SSD speed? The internal drive is a 1TB NVMe SSD with ~2.4GB/s IO throughput.

• Why only 800GB usable? System software consumes some of the 1TB advertised storage.

• Do I need extra storage? Yes, if you plan on installing multiple large AAA titles (some exceeding 150GB), additional storage is highly recommended for convenient access.